Long-serving teaching duo say goodbye after 72 years

FAREWELL . . . Robin Gadsbey and Lynne Davies-Capper

A PAIR of PE teachers who spent their entire careers together retired from Blue Coat School on the same day.

Lynne Davies-Capper and Robin Gadsbey waved goodbye to the school on Friday after a combined total of 72 years.

During her 37 years at the school, Lynne (58) has held the posts of head of girls PE, head of PE, deputy head of house and head of GCSE dance. She has been school sports co-ordinator for the past six years.

Robin (57) has been assistant head for seven years and spent 14 years as head of house during his 35-year stint at the school.

The pair say they will miss colleagues and pupils the most and both are planning to continue teaching on a part-time basis.

Robin said: “I am very privileged to have worked with some very caring parents. The staff are very strong and the school is in great hands and it will go on to great things.

“The past is important but the future is more important.

“My role as assistant head was very important to me as I helped young people to become employable for the 21st century.

“To see students progress beyond Blue Coat over the years has been very gratifying for me.”

Lynne added: “My most memorable moment is the school getting a new sports hall five years ago. Before that we had to struggle along with poor facilities but the new hall transformed sports lessons.”

The pair both plan to spend more time with their families, Lynne with daughter Georgina, who plays badminton for Lancashire, and son Stefan, who is into drama, and Robin with his two grown-up daughters and grandchildren who live in the South.

Robin said: “Lynne and I have worked together for our entire careers and we will both miss the schools’ positive atmosphere, great students and fantastic staff.”